What bugs me, frankly, is the idea that it's even up to some governor whether or not that state's citizens are allowed to participate in a federally-legislated program. "States' rights" has gotten waaaaay out of hand. With every passing year, I am more convinced that we need to dump the whole, crippled federal thing for a unitary governmental system where all the country's citizens have the same rights, responsibilities, opportunities, and access to programs and services, and where each of their votes is given the same weight. The states should function as administrative subdivisions of an actual nation, not as separate little kingdoms, two-thirds of them dysfunctional, and each with its own interpretation of what "America" is.

eraser8:The fact is that the expansion makes an enormous amount of sense -- financially and morally -- for the States.

Governors rejecting the expansion are doing it either to boost themselves politically or because they hate the president more than they love their fellow citizenspoor people.

Let's not mince words here. Medicaid expansion is entirely about helping out poor people that, in many Republicans' eyes, are poor because they are bad people and refuse to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.

I'm pretty sure their stance against it was about posturing way more than actual feelings. As has been said a million times in a fark thread: this party was entirely in on this idea until the black guy agreed with them.

It liver how EVERY republicans governor asked for stimulus funds. If it was going to create zero jobs like they kept saying why did they ask for the money? Why did they help Obama "throw tax dollars away".

FTFA: "I will not allow Obamacare to become a bait and switch," Brewer said.

I like how she says that like she has any power whatsoever over it.

And for those who say she obviously does because of the linked story, I'm guessing that she's doing that for the same reason most other governors will: because they don't want to pay for the uninsured themselves, public hospitals are telling them they're being stupid assholes and some of their stupid, uninsured constituents are inclined to vote Democrat because of it.

Turns out, most poor people value healthcare over petty political squabbles among rich white people.

Fizpez:hinten: FTFA:In her annual State of the State address, Brewer acknowledged the pragmatism behind her decision, saying she agreed to go with the expansion in order to receive the program's funds and create jobs for the people of Arizona.

Someone is lying, federal funds never, ever, ever, never create jobs.

No no no - see when you're talking budget numbers cutting spending will not cost any jobs - when you're taking the money it creates jobs but only in your state - - - all those other states just waste it, but you.... you have the magic in you.

Reminds me of Paul Ryan. Claimed stimulus and such was not the right way to go, but Joe Biden reminded Paul that he was in posession of a request from Ryan asking for some of the money to help create jobs. I laughed when Biden told that to Ryan. It was freakin' awesome.

TimonC346:I'm pretty sure their stance against it was about posturing way more than actual feelings. As has been said a million times in a fark thread: this party was entirely in on this idea until the black guy agreed with them.

overplaying their hand has pretty much been the strategy of the republican party since the 90's

hinten:FTFA:In her annual State of the State address, Brewer acknowledged the pragmatism behind her decision, saying she agreed to go with the expansion in order to receive the program's funds and create jobs for the people of Arizona.

Someone is lying, federal funds never, ever, ever, never create jobs.

The great thing about that is that if the cult of the free market was right supply and demand would have long ago created those jobs as there was obviously demand for healthcare.

FTFA:In her annual State of the State address, Brewer acknowledged the pragmatism behind her decision, saying she agreed to go with the expansion in order to receive the program's funds and create jobs for the people of Arizona.